Writing As A Process

“I also remember a story that I know I’ve told elsewhere but that over and over helps me to get a grip: thirty years ago my older brother, who was ten years old at the time, was trying to get a report on birds written that he’d had three months to write, which was due the next day. We were out at our family cabin in Bolinas, and he was at the kitchen table close to tears, surrounded by binder paper and pencils and unopened books on birds, immobilized by the hugeness of the task ahead. Then my father sat down beside him, put his arm around my brother’s shoulder, and said, “Bird by bird, buddy. Just take it bird by bird.”

by Anne Lamont, “bird by bird. Some instructions on Writing and life”

Stage	Description	Strategies
Prewriting	Any activity that causes the writer to think about the subject	Free writing Brainstorming Graphic Organizers Research Reading Viewing, listening Field trip Common experiences
Drafting	The process of putting ideas on paper, without worrying about mechanics, yet	Taking notes Making lists Linking notes, lists, into thoughts Organizing thoughts into paragraphs Collaborative, synergized writing
Editing, Revising	Writer shares, asks for peer editing Writer changes works, based upon feedback and careful reading	Peer editing Checklists, rubrics, editing lists
Publishing	Writer shares the final composition with others	Reading aloud (Author’s chair) Reading to a group Displaying printouts in classroom Printing newsletters, books Web Publishing

From http://206.218.128.2/laintech/the.htm

Paragraph Structure

Essential Elements of a Paragraph:

Topic: The topic, the one thing that the entire paragraph is about, is the unifying factor, and every sentence and Idea contained in the paragraph is related to the topic. Usually, the topic of a paragraph can be expressed in one to five words. To find the topic, ask yourself this question: What is the one thing the author is discussing throughout the paragraph?

Main Idea: The main idea, what the author wants to communicate about the topic, is the central or most important thought about the paragraph. Every other sentence and idea in the paragraph is related to the main idea. The main idea is usually directly stated by the author in one or more sentences writing the paragraph. In some paragraphs, however, the main idea is not directly stated in any one sentence. It is left to the reader to infer, or reason out.

Topic Sentence:

The topic sentence is the sentence that expresses the main

idea of the paragraph. The topic sentence is the “umbrella” statement containing the chief point of a paragraph. The most common position of the topic sentence is first in the paragraph. In this type of (deductive) paragraph, the author states the main idea at the beginning of the paragraph and then elaborates on it. The second most common position of the topic sentence is last in the paragraph. In this type of (inductive) paragraph, the author builds up to the main idea and then states it in a sentence at the end.

Details: Under the “umbrella” statement fits all the supporting material of the paragraph called details. The supporting details are the proof, reasons, facts or examples that explain the paragraph’s main idea.

ORGANIZING YOUR ESSAY

PARAGRAPH	INFORMATION	EXAMPLES
Introduction	thesis statement List main idea of each Body Paragraph
Body Paragraph #1	Main Idea 2 or 3 details about the Main Idea	“One reason I think this…” “For example…”
Body Paragraph #2	Main Idea 2 or 3 details about the Main Idea	“Another reason I think this…”
Body Paragraph #3	Main Idea 2 or 3 details about the Main Idea	“A final reason I think this…”
Conclusion	Restates Thesis Statement Summarize Main Ideas	“in summary, I think…”

· The introduction is the first paragraph of the essay. It presents the topic-what the essay will be about. The main idea of the essay is stated or implied. The introduction may also present background information. It may contain an attention-getting device.

· The body of the essay contains one or more paragraphs. Each paragraph supports the main idea of the essay. It states one key supporting idea that is the main idea of the paragraph. The rest of the paragraph gives facts, examples, or reasons that explain that main idea.

· The conclusion is the last paragraph of the essay. It restates the main idea of the essay and summarizes the information in the body.

Guidelines for Peer Feedback Sessions

Reading and Responding to your Partner’s Paper:

1. Read your partner’s paper twice.

2. Do not make comments or corrections directly on the paper.

3. If you want to point out a specific problem to your partner during your feedback session, make a check mark in the margin in pencil to remind you of the location.

4. Fill out the rubric, trying to be as honest as possible.

5. If you need a second opinion about something, raise your hand and call the teacher for assistance.

6. Select the three most important recommendations you have for partner to improve this paper. Write your recommendations in complete sentences at the bottom of the rubric.

Sharing Feedback with your Partner:

Take turns summarizing aloud your written comments. Focus on only the most important recommendations in the following way:

I appreciated reading your paper, especially (name one or two strengths of the paper). But I have a few suggestions that I think will really improve this draft. First , I recommend that you… Next, I suggest that you… Finally, I advise you to…

Error Making Symbols

Error Symbol

Error Explanation

vt vf modal ss wo conn sv s/pl wc wf prep frag rts pro ref nonidiom sp cap ? Ø ^ ˘

incorrect verb tense verb incorrectly formed incorrect use or formation of a modal incorrect sentence structure incorrect awkward word order incorrect or missing connecting word(s) incorrect subject-verb agreement problem with the singular or plural of a noun incorrect word choice incorrect form incorrect use of a preposition sentence fragment-incomplete sentence run-together sentences pronoun reference unclear or agreement incorrect non idiomatic – not expressed this way in English spelling error capitalization – capital letter needed unclear – I don’t understand. Omit this word. It doesn’t belong. Insert a word. Something is missing. Connect these two words, clauses or sentences.

RUBRIC: “Showing” Descriptive Paragraph

No Yes

Not Evident Very Evident

0--------1---------2 3 4

0 1 2 3 4 1. Does the title prepare the reader for the specific topic and content of the paragraph?

0 1 2 3 4 2. Does the first sentence state what is being described?

0 1 2 3 4 3. Do the other sentences provide vivid “showing” details to describe the topic?

0 1 2 3 4 4. Do the other sentences provide commentary to explain the details about the topic?

0 1 2 3 4 5. Is enough support provided to enable you to draw a picture (or to create a mental image) of what is being described.

0 1 2 3 4 6. Are all the supporting sentences relevant?

0 1 2 3 4 7. Are the sentences written in a logical, easy-to-follow order?

0 1 2 3 4 8. Are transition words (e.g., in addition, however, used to introduce new thoughts/sentences?

0 1 2 3 4 9. Are conjunctions (e.g., although, whenever, since) used to join related ideas?

0 1 2 3 4 10. Does the paragraph end in an appropriate concluding statement?